津津有味

Pronunciation: jīn jīn yǒu wèi Literal meaning: Mouth watering, full of flavour

Origin & Usage

津 is saliva, or any moisture that wells up; doubled, 津津 is the mouth watering. With flavour (有味) attached, the phrase describes engagement at the level of the body rather than of the opinion — the reader who has forgotten they are reading, the listener leaning in. That physical basis is why it will not stretch to cover polite interest. Somebody eating something they like, and far more often somebody lost in a book, a story or a piece of gossip — the absorption always visible from outside.

Examples

English: "The children listened to the story with great enthusiasm."

Chinese: 孩子们津津有味地听着故事。